Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac XT4 vs Toyota Camry
How the Cadillac XT4 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Cadillac XT4 vs Toyota Camry: The XT4 has about 15 complaints per year, while the Camry has over 200, but the Camry's higher volume reflects its popularity. Owners report serious issues like transmission failure and sudden acceleration in the Camry, whereas the XT4's problems are more minor, such as oil leaks and brake squeaks. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac XT4 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac XT4
The Cadillac XT4, a compact luxury SUV, shows a moderate complaint rate of about 15 per year over seven years. Owners frequently report engine issues like oil leaks and check-engine lights, electrical problems causing no-starts, and brake squealing. These issues suggest that while the XT4 may offer a comfortable ride, it can require frequent dealer visits for recurring mechanical and electronic gremlins.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher complaint volume (over 200 per year) but that reflects its large sales base. Owners report serious powertrain problems, including transmission grinding and sudden acceleration incidents, as well as brake failures and engine coolant valve issues. Despite its reputation for reliability, the Camry is not immune to significant mechanical failures that can affect safety.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac XT4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 104 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 14.9 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Cadillac XT4
- 01ENGINE24
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
- 03SERVICE BRAKES20
- 04POWER TRAIN17
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE16
Owners report oil leaks down the side of the motor, requiring multiple gasket replacements, and check-engine lights with abnormal noises that dealers sometimes dismiss as 'no codes.' This can lead to recurring trips to the shop and potential oil loss.
The vehicle may fail to start intermittently, requiring boosts, and eventually a complete no-start condition. This points to possible battery, alternator, or parasitic drain issues that can leave you stranded.
Brakes squeak consistently when backing out in the morning, a nuisance that may indicate pad or rotor issues. While not always a safety hazard, it can be annoying and may require premature brake service.
Some complaints overlap with engine and electrical issues, but owners also describe abnormal behavior and noises that could stem from transmission or drivetrain problems, affecting overall driveability.
“I took my suv in for diagnostics to a certified GM dealership at least twice while still under warranty. The check engine light was on, the car was behaving abnormally as well as making unusual concerning noises. The dealership sent me away saying no codes sh…”
“2019 CADILLAC XT-4 [XXX] MILEAGE IN FIRST SERVICE ATTEMPT 27500 4/28/2023 BROUGHT THE XT-4 IN FOR SERVICE IN WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA AND FOR AN OIL DRIP PROBLEM. OIL LEAKING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR FACING THE PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER REPLACED NUMEROUOS GASKETS…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission issues that may require replacement. This is a major repair that can be costly and leave the car out of service.
There are reports of sudden unintended acceleration leading to crashes, as well as engine maintenance lights with codes related to a coolant valve bypass that may not be covered by recall for all VINs. These are serious safety concerns.
Brake pedal may go to the floor with no response, especially on hills, indicating potential brake system failure. This is a critical safety issue that demands immediate attention.
While not as prominent, electrical issues like AC condenser damage from rocks and recurring HVAC odors are reported, affecting comfort and requiring repairs.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Cadillac XT4 — 12 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.
The risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
The risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac custom…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac XT4 vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The video processing module (VPM) may lose communication with the rearview camera, causing a loss of the rearview camera image.
The risk: Failure of the rearview camera image to display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the VPM software or replace the VPM, as necessary, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety defect was mailed January 17, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Cadillac XT4 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Cadillac XT4 has far fewer complaints per year (about 15) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 214), but the Camry's numbers are inflated by its higher sales volume. In practice, the XT4's issues are more nuisance-level, while the Camry has more reports of serious safety-related failures like sudden acceleration and brake loss.
Key differences
- The XT4 has fewer complaints per year, but its issues are spread across engine, electrical, and brakes, often requiring multiple dealer visits.
- The Camry has a higher absolute number of complaints, including alarming reports of sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are safety-critical.
- The XT4's top issue is engine oil leaks, while the Camry's is transmission problems and unintended acceleration.
- The Camry has more recalls (31 vs 12), but the XT4's recalls include seat belt fasteners and backup camera, which are also important.
- Check for oil leaks around the engine, especially on the passenger side, and ask for service records showing gasket replacements.
- Test the brakes for squealing, especially when backing up, and have the electrical system checked for intermittent starting issues.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and check for any transmission service or replacement history.
- Ask about any recalls or technical service bulletins related to the engine coolant valve and have the brake system inspected for pedal feel and response.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine oil leaks (XT4) and transmission condition (Camry).
- Test drive both vehicles, paying attention to brake feel, unusual noises, and any warning lights.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and transmission service.
- Check the NHTSA website for the specific VIN's complaint and recall history.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Cadillac XT4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 153 |
| 2024 | 29 | 48 |
| 2023 | 12 | 62 |
| 2022 | 4 | 59 |
| 2021 | 12 | 155 |
| 2020 | 17 | 270 |
| 2019 | 20 | 393 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Cadillac XT4 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac XT4 vs Toyota Camry
- Cadillac XT4 total complaints
- 104
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Cadillac XT4 total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Cadillac XT4 avg complaints/year
- 14.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac XT4
- Cadillac XT4 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN